The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-04-21
- 80 y
Senator FL. w. Blair.

senator Il. w. Bla1r.
While Presidential availability is being
considered, and the new questions which
will enter into the contest of 1883, pom
dered over, it would be well enough not to
overlook Senator H. w. Blair, of New
Hampshire. Mr.. Blair has been in adj
vance Of public sentiment as it respects
issues now attracting attention and in
whose behalf formidable organizations are
being formed. He is the author of the
Blair Educational Bill, and the bill for the
establishment of Bureau of Labor of
the law to investigate the condition of Ia
Dor; of the constitutional amendment to
prohibit the Importation, sale and manu-
facture of spurious liquors, except to meet
the absolute demands of the arts and
sciences. and under such restrictions as
to preclude its abuse. In addition he is
sound on the tariff, the currency and the
internal revenue questions. Because of
his zeal in behalf Of the labor, educational
and temperance interests, he has been
charged with being little cranky. But
cranks of this kind are useful Inventions.
They simply forecast the future, artici-
pate conditions. and take step in advance
of public opinion. Henry Clay was con-
sidered a dreamer when he formulated
his American system.' Abraham Lin
coin was considered a crank in 1867,
when in his great discussion with Douglas
he announced the idea of an ''irrepressible
conflict" between free and slave labor, and
that one or the other had to go down. All
far seeing statesmen who have had the
courage of their convictions, or inspira-
tions, and have advanced beliefs for which
current popular opinion was not prepared,
have been relegated to the category of
ranks--impracticable dreamers ard un-
| trustworthy Theorists. In many instances
they passed from the stage Of action be-
fore their ideas ripened. Mr.. Blair, in the
prime Of life, and while engaged in the
activities of legislative labor, survives to
witness his cranky notions materialize
in the creeds of formi dable organized
bodies, and threatening the disruption of
all opposing forces. If the la0orer is
worthy of his hire, stranger things have
| happened than that the friends of Labor.
Temperance and Popular Education should
unite upon him as their representative
man.
A Statement from Col. s. B. Allen.
In view of the recent opinion of the
Supreme Court of the State in the case Of
the Commonwealth vs.. Allen, auditor, and
ais, involving the commissions paid to Jno
Z. Hamilton, Treasurer of Augusta coun
ty, for collecting the arrears of taxes
against several railroads in the State, pub
lished last week in the VIRGINIAN. WI
have interviewed Mr.. Allen to learr
whether he had anything to say in regar(
to the case and the opinion of tho Court
His reply was in the Affirmative, and thu
statement thus drawn out will he given il
the next issue of this paper-its length
and the late hour at which it was prepared
precluding its publication to-day. 1t is ;
strong statement, and will be read Will
interest by the people of Virginia,
Judge D. K. Carter, late Chief Justice
of the District of Columbia, who died
few days ago, was a printer by trade. bu
studied law in early life, and practised hi
profession successfully. He had larg
; political experience, having served in TIL
Ohio Legislature, in Congress and in Stat
const tutional and National Conventions
While devoted to the law, he claimed tina
the principles Of common sense shout,
mot be lost sight of. He applied the Law
of common sense where the evidence lef
doubt in cases. This practice of the Chic
Justice reminds us of Judge Daniel Smith
: for forty years Judge of the Circui
Court, of which Rockingham county wa
part. He not unfrequently decide
points from common sense view, say
ing, after rendering his opinion, that
would look the law up to sustain it. HI
judicial record was very remarkable, il
? that he was never reversed by the appe
late Court more than once or twice durin
4 his long and distinguished career. as Judge
He was the father of Mrs. Margaret Efir
ger and Judge J. w. Green Smith, of thi
place.
o 1t will not be strange if the bill referre
Il to 1.-THE lnter-Stat Commerce billy Sha
prove as great a boomerang to Its autho
Mr.. Gallon, as the civil service bill to il
y author, Mr.. Pendleton. Gt
k zette.